| 1For the music director, a psalm by the Korahites. Listen to this, all you nations! Pay attention, all you inhabitants of the world! | 1For the music director, a psalm by the Korahites. Listen to this, all you nations! Pay attention, all you inhabitants of the world! |
| 2Pay attention, all you people, both rich and poor! | 2Pay attention, all you people, both rich and poor! |
| 3I will declare a wise saying; I will share my profound thoughts. | 3I will declare a wise saying; I will share my profound thoughts. |
| 4I will learn a song that imparts wisdom; I will then sing my insightful song to the accompaniment of a harp. | 4I will learn a song that imparts wisdom; I will then sing my insightful song to the accompaniment of a harp. |
| 5Why should I be afraid in times of trouble, when the sinful deeds of deceptive men threaten to overwhelm me? | 5Why should I be afraid in times of trouble, when the sinful deeds of deceptive men threaten to overwhelm me? |
| 6They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches. | 6They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches. |
| 7Certainly a man cannot rescue his brother; he cannot pay God an adequate ransom price | 7Certainly a man cannot rescue his brother; he cannot pay God an adequate ransom price |
| 8(the ransom price for a human life is too high, and people go to their final destiny), | 8(the ransom price for a human life is too high, and people go to their final destiny), |
| 9so that he might continue to live forever and not experience death. | 9so that he might continue to live forever and not experience death. |
| 10Surely one sees that even wise people die; fools and spiritually insensitive people all pass away and leave their wealth to others. | 10Surely one sees that even wise people die; fools and spiritually insensitive people all pass away and leave their wealth to others. |
| 11Their grave becomes their permanent residence, their eternal dwelling place. They name their lands after themselves, | 11Their grave becomes their permanent residence, their eternal dwelling place. They name their lands after themselves, |
| 12but, despite their wealth, people do not last, they are like animals that perish. | 12but, despite their wealth, people do not last, they are like animals that perish. |
| 13This is the destiny of fools, and of those who approve of their philosophy. (Selah) | 13This is the destiny of fools, and of those who approve of their philosophy. (Selah) |
| 14They will travel to Sheol like sheep, with death as their shepherd. The godly will rule over them when the day of vindication dawns; Sheol will consume their bodies and they will no longer live in impressive houses. | 14They will travel to Sheol like sheep, with death as their shepherd. The godly will rule over them when the day of vindication dawns; Sheol will consume their bodies and they will no longer live in impressive houses. |
| 15But God will rescue my life from the power of Sheol; certainly he will pull me to safety. (Selah) | 15But God will rescue my life from the power of Sheol; certainly he will pull me to safety. (Selah) |
| 16Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich and his wealth multiplies! | 16Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich and his wealth multiplies! |
| 17For he will take nothing with him when he dies; his wealth will not follow him down into the grave. | 17For he will take nothing with him when he dies; his wealth will not follow him down into the grave. |
| 18He pronounces this blessing on himself while he is alive: "May men praise you, for you have done well!" | 18He pronounces this blessing on himself while he is alive: "May men praise you, for you have done well!" |
| 19But he will join his ancestors; they will never again see the light of day. | 19But he will join his ancestors; they will never again see the light of day. |
| 20Wealthy people do not understand; they are like animals that perish. | 20Wealthy people do not understand; they are like animals that perish. |
|
    |